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Pro-Ject Essential II Phono USB Manual belt-drive turntable with pre-mounted cartridge, USB output, and built-in phono preamp (Black)

Item # 252ES2USBB

When it comes to bringing your vinyl collection into the digital age, a great-sounding turntable is the starting...

When it comes to bringing your vinyl collection into the digital age, a great-sounding turntable is the starting...

3 questions - 4 answers

Item # 252ES2USBB

Shop all Pro-Ject Turntables

About the Pro-Ject Essential II Phono USB

Dave Bar

Converting your records to digital? Start with better sound

When it comes to bringing your vinyl collection into the digital age, a great-sounding turntable is the starting point for capturing better-sounding digital music files. The Pro-Ject Essential II Phono USB is just such a turntable. This well-crafted, easy-to-use 'table features a high-fidelity phono preamp with a built-in analog-to-digital converter and USB output that makes it a breeze to transfer music to your computer for easy archiving. Save your tunes as MP3, WAV, or other music files that you can store on your computer or download to your portable player. The built-in preamp means you can also connect the Essential II Phono USB 'table directly to almost any audio system.

Converting your records to digital? Start with better sound

When it comes to bringing your vinyl collection into the digital age, a great-sounding turntable is the starting point for capturing better-sounding digital music files. The Pro-Ject Essential II Phono USB is just such a turntable. This well-crafted, easy-to-use 'table features a high-fidelity phono preamp with a built-in analog-to-digital converter and USB output that makes it a breeze to transfer music to your computer for easy archiving. Save your tunes as MP3, WAV, or other music files that you can store on your computer or download to your portable player. The built-in preamp means you can also connect the Essential II Phono USB 'table directly to almost any audio system.

Crafted for serious sound

Pro-Ject's minimalist design philosophy focuses squarely on the features that benefit performance — no unnecessary bells and whistles here. The Essential II Phono USB's stiff, lightweight chassis rests on shock absorbing feet that help resist external vibration. Its low-resonance MDF platter spins on a precision axle and bearing that minimize friction for smooth, silent rotation. The turntable's tried-and-true belt-drive system uses a silicone belt to isolate motor vibration and prevent noise from being transmitted through to your amp and speakers. A newly designed motor control with a DC power supply further minimizes unwanted vibration. And last but not least, the Essential II Phono USB's rigid one-piece aluminum tonearm, with low-friction sapphire bearings and an Ortofon OM-5e moving-magnet cartridge provides, superior tracking ability and resonance reduction.

Enjoy the rich sound of vinyl without the hassle

Pro-Ject knows that turntable setup can be a challenge for the novice. That's why the Essential II Phono USB comes out of the box virtually ready to play. Its pre-matched, factory-mounted phono cartridge and tonearm take the guesswork out of installation, and give you optimized sound quality with minimal effort. A few simple steps to dial in key settings like tracking force and anti-skating are all it takes to get this 'table primed and ready to deliver spacious, detailed music.

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Product highlights:

  • built-in phono preamp with line-level audio and USB output (Windows®, Mac®, and GNU/LINUX® compatible)
    • recording software not included (Pro-Ject recommends Audacity, a free sound recording and editing software program available at audacity.sourceforge.net
  • low-resonance 12" MDF platter with felt mat to protect records from scratches
  • one-piece aluminum tonearm with sapphire bearings for superior rigidity and low resonance
  • includes pre-mounted Ortofon OM-5E moving magnet cartridge
  • stainless-steel main bearing runs in bronze bushing with Teflon® bottom for smooth, quiet platter rotation
  • stiff, lightweight particle board base with shock absorbing feet
  • low-vibration synchronous motor
  • integrated motor control with DC power supply for silent operation
  • fully manual operation
  • 33-1/3 and 45 rpm speeds (manual speed change)
  • speed variance: 0.14% (at 33-1/3 RPM), 0.25% (at 45 RPM)
  • wow and flutter: 0.12%
  • signal-to-noise ratio: 65dB
  • gold-plated RCA audio jacks
  • external power supply reduces likelihood of electro-mechanical interference
  • 16-3/8"W x 4-3/8"H (with dust cover down) x 13-1/8"D
  • weight: 9 lbs.
  • warranty: 2 years (1 year warranty for the supplied cartridge)
  • MFR # Essential II USB-BK

What's in the box:

  • Turntable (tone-arm and cartridge installed)
  • Platter
  • AC power adapter (w/ attached 6.5' DC cord)
  • Drive belt
  • Dust cover
  • Counter weight
  • Anti-skate weight
  • Felt pad
  • 45 RPM adapter
  • 4' Stereo RCA cable (w/ attached ground lead)
  • Female RCA to male 3.5mm adapter
  • 6' USB (type-B) to USB (type-A) cable
  • Key
  • Two-Point Cartridge Alignment Protractor
  • Instructions for Use

Customer reviews for Pro-Ject Essential II Phono USB

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4.0 out of 5 stars
4 reviews

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More details on the Pro-Ject Essential II Phono USB

Stacey B.

Features & specs

Features
Color Not given
Operation Manual
Speeds 33-1/3, 45
Speed Control ---
Drive Type Belt
Pitch Control No
Phono Preamp Built-in
USB Output Yes
Bluetooth Built-In No
45 RPM Adapter Yes
Audio Cable Detachable
Power Cable ---
Materials and Construction
Plinth ---
Platter ---
Tone Arm Shape Straight
Tone Arm Material ---
Tone Arm Lift Finger, lever
Cartridge Info
Included Cartridge Ortofon OM5e
Cartridge Type MM
Removable Headshell No
Tracking Weight ---
Frequency Response 20-25,000
Output Voltage ---
Load Impedance ---
Load Capacitance ---
Audio Specs
Signal to Noise Ratio 65
Wow and Flutter 0.12
Dimensions and Warranty
Width (Inches) 16.5625
Height (Inches) 4.375
Depth (Inches) 13.125
Weight 9 lbs.
Turntable Parts Warranty 2 Years
Turntable Labor Warranty 2 Years
Cartridge Parts Warranty 1 Year
Cartridge Labor Warranty 1 Year

Product Research

Features

Integrated Phono-MM Preamp w/ USB Output: Because the Pro-Ject Essential II Phono USB turntable includes a built-in phono preamplifier with USB output, connection to both line-level input of your HiFi system and USB port on your computer can be done simultaneously.

  • Built-in Preamp: The built-in phono equalizer preamp allows you to connect the turntable to an integrated amp or receiver that does not have a dedicated phono input. You cannot disable the built-in phono preamp. Plinth mounted RCA output jacks allow for the use of higher quality interconnects for even better sonic performance.
  • USB Phono Stage: The Pro-Ject Essential II Phono USB turntable allows you to transfer treasured vinyl records to any digital file format on your computer (software not included) with audiophile sound quality via its moving magnet phono preamplifier, A/D converter and USB (type-B) output (USB cable included). Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. Pro-Ject recommends Audacity, a free sound recording and editing program available at audacity.sourceforge.net.

Belt Driven w/ 2-Speeds: The Pro-Ject Essential II Phono USB turntable features a quiet-running synchronous motor with silicone belt to drive the low-resonance platter. The Essential II Phono USB turntable supports 33-1/3 and 45 rpm speeds.

Particle Board Plinth: The main chassis is made from lightweight, but very stiff particle board. Special feet effectively decouples the turntable from the surface. The turntable should be positioned on a low-resonance surface such as wood or multiple layer ply-board to avoid structural vibrations disturbing replay.

MDF Platter: The Pro-Ject Essential II Phono USB employs a low-resonance platter made from MDF and includes a felt mat. The main platter bearing consists of stainless steel spindle and bronze bushing with Teflon bottom to secure low friction.

8.6" Aluminum Tonearm w/ Pre-Mounted Cartridge: The Essential II Phono USB utilizes a straight 8,6" aluminum tonearm design made from a single piece of aluminum with sapphire bearings. The tonearm is fitted with a Ortofon OM5e MM-cartridge.

Dust Cover: The Pro-Ject Essential II Phono USB comes supplied with a dust cover to prevent dust build-up on the turntable.

AC Power Adapter: The turntable operates off of standard household current using the supplied external AC power adapter.

  • Input: 100-240V~50/60Hz, 0.35A
  • Output: 15V - 0.8A (0.5A)

Colors: Available in black, red, or white finish.

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Customer Q&A

3 questions already asked

Q
In a review, someone mentions that this product has a Bluetooth connectivity option: is this true?
david  Dec 02, 2014
1 answer
A
No, this turntable does not have a Bluetooth connectivity option.
pamela  Dec 03, 2014
Q
What is the range of tracking force adjustments, for the tone-arm?
thomas  May 19, 2015
2 answers
A
I'm not sure of the range or pressure but I followed instructions setting it up and it works perfectly
clay  May 19, 2015
A
The recommended tracking force for the factory fitted cartridge is 17.5 mN., The supplied counterweight is suitable for cartridges weighing between 3.5 - 5.5 g. Alternative counterweights are available for cartridges weighing between 5-9 g, as an accessory part.
jay  May 19, 2015

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